Thinking of buying a 2006 F-250 Super Duty … should I be worried about the engine?

Hey, I’m considering buying a 2006 F-250 Super Duty, but I’m getting mixed opinions about the 6.0 engine. I know they changed the engine in 2004, and I’ve heard the earlier ones had problems. Did they fix those issues by 2006, or is the whole generation trouble? Would love to hear from people who’ve owned one.

The engine did get some improvements starting in 2005 and continued through the end of the 6.0 in 2007. That said, if you want it to be reliable, you’ll likely need to ‘bulletproof’ it, which involves things like head studs, an EGR delete, and a better oil cooler. Expect to spend $10-15k for a full job, and you’ll need to pull the cab for most of the work. Maintenance records are key when buying used.

@Brook
What kind of improvements were made? I’ve heard people talk about this, but I can’t find specifics.

Keegan said:
@Brook
What kind of improvements were made? I’ve heard people talk about this, but I can’t find specifics.

Here’s a detailed breakdown: http://www.powerstrokehub.com/6.0-model-year-changes.html

If you’re asking this question, I’d say avoid the 6.0 unless you know what you’re getting into. The engine was made by Navistar to meet emissions standards, but they didn’t exactly nail it. The 6.0 isn’t terrible if you understand its weak points, but repairs are costly, and it’s hard to find one that hasn’t been beaten up.

@Rian
One big problem with the 6.0 is it has fewer head bolts compared to the older 7.3, which caused reliability issues. They fixed this for the 6.4, but it didn’t save that engine from being a mess.

Zen said:
@Rian
One big problem with the 6.0 is it has fewer head bolts compared to the older 7.3, which caused reliability issues. They fixed this for the 6.4, but it didn’t save that engine from being a mess.

Exactly. If they’d just added more head bolts, used better coolant, and addressed a few other problems, the 6.0 could’ve been remembered as a solid engine. Instead, it’s a cautionary tale. The good news is that Ford ditched Navistar after this and gave us the 6.7, which is one of the best diesels ever.

@Rian
Just to remind everyone, Navistar also made the 7.3L. People act like it’s untouchable, but it’s really just a reliable, underpowered motor.

The 6.0 was used from 2003.5 to 2007. It had a reputation for problems, but later models were a bit better.

Laken said:
The 6.0 was used from 2003.5 to 2007. It had a reputation for problems, but later models were a bit better.

So does that mean a 2006 is just a money pit waiting to happen?

@Onyx
Pretty much, yeah.

I’ve got a 2003 6.0 with head studs, and it’s been great for me. As long as it’s been maintained well, you might be fine. But keep in mind, diesels are expensive to work on no matter what.

There’s so much hate for the 6.0, but I’ve had good luck. My 2004 is bone stock with 235k miles. If you can do some of the work yourself, it’s not that bad to keep up. I pull a 14k-pound fifth wheel with it, no problem. Just look for one that hasn’t been tuned or messed with.

If you’re going to buy one, make sure it’s cheap enough that you can afford to put a lot of money into it. Otherwise, steer clear.

The 6.0 is strong when it works, but the ‘when’ is key. You’ll spend $10k in repairs eventually, so you might as well put that money toward a newer truck with a 6.7. Plus, the ride quality on the older trucks isn’t great.

I love the 6.0, but I’m a diesel mechanic. If you don’t have the skills or money to work on it, it’s probably not the truck for you.

The trucks themselves are solid, but the 6.0 engine is a gamble. A popular option is to find one with a blown engine and do a Cummins swap.

2003.5-2007 6.0s are known for EGR cooler issues that can destroy the engine if not addressed. Bulletproofing them can make them reliable, but it’s not cheap. If you’re not ready to spend that kind of money, I’d look elsewhere.

The 6.0 has one of the best sounds of any diesel, but it’s not worth the risk unless you really know what you’re doing. I’ve seen too many people get burned.

If you’re willing to put $10-15k into bulletproofing it, the 6.0 can be a solid engine. But without that, it’s not going to last. The 2006 model is better than the early ones, but the issues were never fully solved.